Cádiz CF is set to face Burgos CF on December 19, 2024, at the Nuevo Mirandilla Stadium, kicking off at 19:00 hours, as part of the 20th matchday of Liga Hypermotion. This clash holds significant importance as both teams are entrenched in the relegation battle, each striving to secure valuable points to avoid dropping to lower divisions.
The match will be officiated by referee Muñiz Muñoz, who is familiar with both squads this season, having overseen previous encounters. He will be assisted by Caparrós Hernández via the VAR system, ensuring oversight on key decisions throughout the match.
Cádiz currently occupies the 18th position, with 21 points, marginally above the relegation zone. The team recently ended their five-match winless streak, including three consecutive losses, with an exhilarating last-minute victory. This win not only boosted their confidence but also marked Garitano's first triumph as head coach since taking over the team. The players are eager to build on this momentum, hoping to replicate this success on their home ground.
Notably, Cádiz has struggled this season at home, collecting merely 12 points from 30 possible as they tackle common rivals. Garitano faces some selection dilemmas, with Ocampo returning from suspension and Fali reinstated, but he will have to do without several key injuries, including Escalante, Zaldúa, and Rubén Alcaraz. Roger Martí and Carlos Fernández are both doubts leading up to the match.
On the opposing side, Burgos CF arrives 16th with 22 points, just above the relegation strife. They have recently managed to pull together two matches without loss for the first time since September, resulting from one win and one draw. While their latest matches were at home, away form has been starkly different, with the team earning just 7 points from 27 available on the road this season. They’re grappling with the bitter reality of six consecutive league defeats away from home, alongside their elimination from the Copa del Rey.
Burgos also faces its own injury challenges, as they will be without Appin, Raúl Navarro, Lisandro López due to injuries, along with Atienza, who is serving a suspension. Coach Ramis's tactics will need to adapt quickly to counteract these absences and improve their positions as they head to Cádiz.
Historically, Cádiz and Burgos have faced each other 18 times, with the balance slightly favoring Cádiz, who has won 9 matches compared to Burgos' 8, plus one match drawn. Notably, at the Nuevo Mirandilla, Cádiz holds significant dominance with 8 victories out of 9 encounters, with the last meeting between these teams dating back to the 1980-81 season, when Cádiz triumphed with an impressive 3-0 win.
Both teams are under immense pressure to gather points as the season progresses. The outcome of this match could have major implications for their aspirations, with relegation looming large. Fans eagerly await this showdown, expecting the atmosphere to be electric as both sides aim to not only secure the points but also outperform their direct rival on the pitch.
With the unpredictability of football, every goal will be pivotal, and every decision by the referee could prove costly for either side. Based on their form and past encounters, one can only speculate about the final result of this anticipated clash.
